Game #43 Recap: Caps 3 Florida 4 (OT)

The recap is the same for quite a number of games this year. The Caps come out flat, give up the lead, fight back to even, and lose in overtime. Last night the Caps allowed the Panthers a three goal lead before deciding they were going to play in this game. The only reason they were still in the game was the play of Michal Neuvirth in the Capitals net. The goalie made numerous big saves in the early going as he faced 30 shots in the first two periods. The Caps gave up goals on two 5-on-3 Florida power plays and a deflection that Nuevirth had no chance on. The Caps did come back on a two goal effort from Marcus Johansson and a goal from Mike Knuble. The story of the game was special teams as the team when 0 for 5 on the power play and gave up 3 power play goals including the game winner. With Mike Green in the box for hooking the Panthers scored a 4 on 3 overtime goal to take the extra standing point. The good news for the Capitals is in their last 9 games they have a record of 6-0-3 and have picked up 15 of 18 points in the standings.

Of Note:

• Marcus Johansson had the first two goal game of his career. He connected for the Capitals first goal off a nice rush up ice from Brian Willsie, to Johansson, to Brooks Laich and back to Johansson for the finish. His second goal was a goalmouth stuff in of a loose puck. Matt Hendricks collected the puck in the right wing corner and through the puck to the net where Johansson pushed the puck in to tie the game at 3-3.
• Mike Knuble scored on a wrist shot after Alex Ovechkin drew 3 defenders and make a nice pass hitting Knuble in stride on the right wing circle.
• The Capitals were out shot 41 to 33 in the game. 10 of Florida's shots came on the power play.
• Washington defenders blocked 22 shots with Eric Fehr leading the team with 4 on the night.
• Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom each picked up 1 assist.
• In the OT loss Michal Nuevirth stopped 37 of 41 shots but without his effort it would have been much, much worse.

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Game #43 Preview: Washington Capitals at Florida Panthers

Where: BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL

When:  January 11, 2011, 7:30 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 8-11-3-0

Caps Game 43 Record: 15-15-5-0

All-Time vs. FLA: 46-33-9-6

All-Time at FLA: 22-19-4-1

Last Season vs. FLA 6-0-0

Last Meeting: 1/8/11, WAS 3 FLA 2

This Year:

WAS Record: 24-12-6

Standings Points: 54

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th

Last Game: 1/8/11, WAS 3 FLA 2

Streak: Win 1

FLA Record: 18-20-2

Standings Points: 38

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 11th    

Last Game: 1/8/11, FLA 2 WAS 3

Streak: Loss 3

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 25 CHIMERA, 85 PERRAULT, 14 FEHR

Forward Line 3: 21 LAICH, 90 JOHANSSON, 83 BEAGLE

Forward Line 4: 17 KING, 26 HENDRICKS, 39 STECKEL

Defense Pair 1: 52 GREEN, 23 HANNAN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 3 POTI

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Florida

Forward Line 1: 21 HIGGINS, 9 WEISS, 67 FROLIK

Forward Line 2: 10 BOOTH, 13 SANTORELLI, 85 OLESZ

Forward Line 3: 61 STILLMAN, 19 REASONER, 14 DVORAK

Forward Line 4: 26 BERNIER, 18 MATTHIAS, 16 HORDICHUK

Defense Pair 1: 6 WIDEMAN, 52 GARRISON

Defense Pair 2: 24 MCCABE, 43 WEAVER

Defense Pair 3: 5 ALLEN, 7 KULIKOV

Goalie: 29 VOKOUN

Back-up Goalie: 30 CLEMMENSEN

Injuries:

Washington – 15 GORDON (lower body) IR, 17 KING (undisclosed) IR, 10 BRADLEY (broken finger) IR, 28 SEMIN (thigh) DTD

Florida – 36 CULLEN (ruptured Achilles tendon) IR, 12 BITZ (lower body) IR

Caps Milestones:

Nicklas Backstrom needs 4 points to reach 300 in his career.

Preview:

The Capitals are headed for a two day tour of Florida with back-to-back games against the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The last game saw the Caps beat the Panthers in a one goal game. The Capitals are still struggling on the power play but got goals from two of their big guns, Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green. Alexander Semin was injured in the game and did not make the trip to Florida. Boyd Gordon did make the trip and may see action at some point this week. I expect the rematch with the Panthers to go about the same as the game on Saturday with both teams grinding and the game won or lost in the corner battles. The Washington penalty kill is playing stellar hockey and have not allowed a goal in 27 shorthanded opportunities. Look for more of the same in this one with the power play getting back in gear.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 4 FLA 1

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Game #42 Recap: Caps 3 Florida 2

The Capitals wanted to get out to a fast start but it wasn't to be as the Panthers scored within the first 5 minutes of the game and led 1-0 after one. The second period has been a strong period for Washington all season long. Eric Fehr and Mike Green connected on a sweet play that Green took all the way around the net and passed through a maze of players to Fehr who roofed the puck for a 1-1 tie. The Caps took the lead in the third period when Eric Fehr returned the favor to Green with a nice pass on the power play. Green cut to slot and backhanded a shot into the net for his 8th goal of the season. The Caps padded the lead three minutes later as Mike Knuble sprang Alex Ovechkin on the left wing. Ovechkin took the puck to the net and put a wrist shot past the goaltender just as a defender knocked him to the ice. It was go to see Ovie score in a very Ovie type way. The Panthers kept battling and scored on a rebound in the final minute with the goalie pulled but that would be all they could get. The Caps will face the Panthers again on Tuesday in sunny South Florida.

Of Note:

• Mike Knuble got the primary assist on the Ovechkin goal. It was his 500th career NHL point and he becomes the 396th player to reach that milestone in league history.
• For Ovechkin, he picked up a goal and a secondary assist on the Green power play goal. It was his first point on the power play in his last 18 games. This is the main area that Washington needs improvement. The team went 1 for 3 on the night.
• The penalty killers continue to come up big. The stopped all 4 Florida attempts and have not allowed a power play goal against in their last 6 games.
• Semyon Varlamov started in net and picked up his 8th win of the season. He stopped 25 of 27 shots and the team has allowed 2 or fewer goals in 8 straight games.
• Washington has really stepped up the defensive effort with another 18 blocked shots against Florida. John Carlson led the way with 3.
• David Steckel, once again, was a beast in the face-off dot. He won 13 of the 17 draws he took. He is 64.2 % effective on the season good enough to lead the NHL. Nice job.

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Game #42 Preview: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  January 8, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 6-6-1-1

Caps Game 42 Record: 14-18-3-0

All-Time vs. FLA: 45-33-9-6

All-Time at Home vs. FLA: 23-14-5-5

Last Season vs. TAM: 6-0-0

Last Meeting: 12/9/10, WAS 0 FLA 3

This Year:

WAS Record: 23-12-6

Standings Points: 52

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th

Last Game: 1/4/11, WAS 0 TAM 1 (OT)

Streak: Loss 1

FLA Record: 18-19-2

Standings Points: 38

Division Rank: 5th

Conference Rank: 11th    

Last Game: 1/7/11, FLA 3 CAR 5

Streak: Loss 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 85 PERRAULT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 14 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 83 BEAGLE, 39 STECKEL

Defense Pair 1: 52 GREEN, 23 HANNAN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 3 POTI

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Florida

Forward Line 1: 21 HIGGINS, 9 WEISS, 67 FROLIK

Forward Line 2: 10 BOOTH, 13 SANTORELLI, 85 OLESZ

Forward Line 3: 61 STILLMAN, 19 REASONER, 14 DVORAK

Forward Line 4: 26 BERNIER, 18 MATTHIAS, 16 HORDICHUK

Defense Pair 1: 6 WIDEMAN, 52 GARRISON

Defense Pair 2: 24 MCCABE, 43 WEAVER

Defense Pair 3: 5 ALLEN, 7 KULIKOV

Goalie: 29 VOKOUN

Back-up Goalie: 30 CLEMMENSEN

Injuries:

Washington – 15 GORDON (lower body) IR, 17 KING (undisclosed) IR, 10 BRADLEY (broken finger) IR

Florida – 36 CULLEN (ruptured Achilles tendon) IR, 12 BITZ (lower body) IR

Caps Milestones:

Mike Knuble needs 1 point to reach 500 in his career.

Nicklas Backstrom needs 5 points to reach 300 in his career.

Preview:

After a tough 1-0 loss on Tuesday the Capitals are back in action on Saturday when they host the Florida Panthers. Florida is 5^th in the division but shutout the Caps back on December 9^th. Look for the Capitals to crash the net much more in this game in an effort to get more offense. Washington has had 3 days and needed some work done on their power play. The team has scored 2 power play goals in its last 5 games. Some very good defense and goaltending has kept the Capitals in the game but the inability to score cost them last game. Alex Ovechkin got a cortisone shot, in a undisclosed location and not for a recent injury, earlier this week and will be ready for the game Saturday. This may be one of the reasons for the mystery goal drop off this season. I expect another grind it out type game with Washington pressing the net for goals.

Joe’s prediction: Caps 3 FLA 1

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Game #41 Recap: Caps 0 Tampa Bay 1 (OT)

The Capitals looked to be suffering from a Winter Classic hangover in the first period as the Lightning took the play to the Caps net. The Bolts out shot the Caps 12-5 in the first period but Semyon Varlamov stood tall and no damage was done. 0-0 after 1. The second period saw a more determined Capitals team. With the help of an early power play, Washington evened the shot counter with the first 7 shots on goal and went on to put 21 shots on the Tampa net in the frame. Both teams clogged the neutral zone forcing a lot of dump and chase hockey. Midway through the period on a hard play along the boards, Matt Hendricks tangled with the Bolts' Steve Downie which led to a short bought that brought some life the the home crowd. The teams traded chances throughout the night but both goalies took turns denying shooters. The third period was more of the same with both teams putting 8 shots on goal with no goals. The game would go to overtime tied 0-0. Tampa pressed more than Washington in the overtime period and an errant rebound by Varlamov was fired into the net for the game-winner. Tampa out shot the Caps 5-0 in the overtime and took the outright lead in the Southeast Division with the win. The Capitals now get a couple days off before facing the Florida Panthers at home on Saturday.

Of Note:

• Semyon Varlamov was named the #1 Star of the Week by the NHL and played an exceptional game stopping 37 of 38 shots but would definitely like his final save back.
• Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin took 16 shots on goal between them. Ovechkin and Semin still have not broken out of their offensive funks from December. The two have combined for 15 points in the 16 games since December 1st.
• The Caps penalty kill continued its strong play stopping all 3 Tampa extra man advantages. The Caps have not allowed a power play goal against in their last 5 games and just 1 in the last 8.
• Mike Green led the Caps in ice time with 23:21 and had 4 hits, 1 takeaway and 1 blocked shot.
• John Carlson and Karl Alzner continued to shut down the oppositions top line holding Steven Stamkos, the NHL's second leading scorer, to just 4 shots on goal and no points.

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Game #41 Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at Washington Capitals

Where: Verizon Center, Washington, DC

When:  January 4, 2011, 7:00 PM

History:           

Caps Record on this Date: 5-5-6-0

Caps Game 41 Record: 10-15-9-1

All-Time vs. TAM: 60-26-6-4

All-Time at Home vs. TAM: 32-11-4-2

Last Season vs. TAM: 4-2-0

Last Meeting: 11/26/10, WAS 6 TAM 0

This Year:

WAS Record: 23-12-5

Standings Points: 51

Division Rank: 2nd

Conference Rank: 5th

Last Game: 1/1/11, WAS 3 PIT 1

Streak: Win 3

TAM Record: 23-11-5

Standings Points: 51

Division Rank: 1st

Conference Rank: 2nd    

Last Game: 1/1/11, TAM 2 NYR 1 (OT)

Streak: Win 2

Probable Line-Ups:     

Washington

Forward Line 1: 8 OVECHKIN, 19 BACKSTROM, 22 KNUBLE

Forward Line 2: 21 LAICH, 85 PERRAULT, 28 SEMIN

Forward Line 3: 25 CHIMERA, 90 JOHANSSON, 14 FEHR

Forward Line 4: 26 HENDRICKS, 83 BEAGLE, 39 STECKEL

Defense Pair 1: 52 GREEN, 23 HANNAN

Defense Pair 2: 27 ALZNER, 74 CARLSON

Defense Pair 3: 55 SCHULTZ, 4 ERSKINE

Goalie: 1 VARLAMOV

Back-up Goalie: 30 NEUVIRTH

Tampa Bay

Forward Line 1: 6 MALONE, 91 STAMKOS, 26 ST. LOUIS

Forward Line 2: 12 GAGNE, 4 LECAVALIER, 10 BERGENHEIM

Forward Line 3: 21 RITOLA, 19 MOORE, 16 PURCELL

Forward Line 4: 18 HALL, 44 THOMPSON, 42 TYRELL

Defense Pair 1: 39 LUNDIN, 5 OHLUND

Defense Pair 2: 7 CLARK, 77 HEDMAN

Defense Pair 3: 8 JONES, 13 KUBINA

Goalie: 33 ELLIS

Back-up Goalie: 35 ROLOSON

Injuries:

Washington – 3 POTI (undisclosed) DTD, 15 GORDON (lower body) IR, 17 KING (undisclosed) IR, 10 BRADLEY (broken finger) IR

TAM – 9 DOWNIE (ankle) IR, 41 SMITH (knee) IR

Caps Milestones:

Mike Knuble needs 1 point to reach 500 in his career.

Nicklas Backstrom needs 5 points to reach 300 in his career.

Preview:

After winning the Winter Classic, the Caps must now focus on the Southeast Division. The first place Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Phone Booth looking to payback Washington for the 6-0 rout they absorbed in their last meeting. The Capitals are rolling in their last 6 games with a 5-0-1 record and have allowed only 7 goals against in those games. This should be another tight game for the Capitals who need to continue the momentum from the big January 1^st victory. The new defensive system has been getting good buy in from the players and becoming very effective. You’ve got to ask yourself, with all the talent the Caps have on offense, how are the other teams in league viewing this change? I’m thinking that they do not want to face this team playing shut down, especially if they can get the power play rolling and you know it’s going to get rolling. Key match up in against Tampa is who defends the Stamkos line. Look for Karl Alzner and John Carlson to be out there. The rookie pair has been getting big minutes against the league’s best lines and they are only going to get better. They are a combined +13 in the last 6 games. I expect a little more scoring in this game but the Caps win going away.   

Joe’s prediction: Caps 5 TAM 3

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Game #40 Recap: The Winter Classic, Caps 3 Pittsburgh 1

In a game that lived up to all the hype, the two teams slugged it out in less than perfect conditions with the Capitals victorious by a 3-1 score. The first period saw both teams feeling out the other with great physicality. John Erskine and Mike Rupp engaged in an epic bought that saw the hay makers rain down on both guys. Erskine won the decision and the fight sparked the energy higher than I thought possible. The hits were were hard and in the second the teams adjusted to the changing conditions as the rain began to fall. In one of the few mistakes in the game, a bad line change by Washington led to an Evgeni Malkin breakaway goal to open the scoring. The Capitals responded on the power play that saw Mike Knuble do what he does best. Digging in front of the crease he shoveled home a lose puck to tie the game at 1-1. Later in the period, on a miscue from the Pens goalie Marcus Johansson found Eric Fehr all alone in front of the net. Fehr one-timed the pass into the goal to give the boys in the white jerseys the lead at 2-1. The rain came harder in the third and the Capitals continued to adjust and went to shut down mode. They allowed 9 shots in the period and nice transition play led to a breakaway for the Capitals. Eric Fehr was the recipient of the give and go pass from Jason Chimera and netted his second goal of the game with a wrist shot to the top shelf. The Caps held the Pens off the rest of the way and won by a 3-1 margin. Semyon Varlamov took the game's #1 star stopping 32 of 33 shots including 16 in the first period. It was another epic game for the Winter Classic and a great win for Washington.

Of Note:

• Eric Fehr, the #2 star of the game, had 2 goals on 3 shots and contributed 2 blocked shots on the defensive end.
• Washington as a team blocked 16 Pittsburgh shots and have averaged as many in their last 8 games. The team is 5-1-2 in those 8 games.
• Marcus Johansson, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, Jason Chimera and John Erskine each had 1 assist in the game.
• The Penguins finished the game with no goals on 4 power play attempts. The Caps have not allowed a power play goal in their last 4 games and have allowed only 1 in the last 27 attempts.
• Scott Hannan was +1, as was Jeff Schultz.
• Alex Ovechkin led the Capitals with 6 shots on goal and had a goal disallowed for incidental contact with the goalie.
• Karl Alzner and John Carlson the rookie defense pairing for the Caps played primarily against Pittsburgh's top line led all Caps in ice time and allowed no goals against, 3 hits and 2 blocked shots. Not a bad effort from the rookies.

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